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07/10/1980 - Advisory Parks & Recreation CommissionMINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE EAGAN ADVISORY PARK COMMITTEE EAGAN, MINNESOTA JULY 10, 1980 A regular meeting of the Eagan Advisory Park Committee was held on July 10, 1980, at the Eagan City Hall. Those present were Chairman Martin and Committee Members Carroll, Loken, Radl, McNeely, Johnson and Tilley. Also present were Parks and Recreation Director Vraa, City Administrator Hedges and City Planner Runkle. Committee Members Pettit, Thurston and Thomas were absent. MINUTES There being no corrections to the minutes, McNeely moved and Loken seconded, with all members voting in favor, to approve the minutes of the June 5, 1980 Advisory Park Committee meeting. ADOPTION OF AGENDA Chairman Martin asked that a discussion regarding the patrolling of parks be added to old business. Committee Member Tilley stated that she has received a request from residents in the South Oaks Addition to construct a kick board for soccer use at South Oaks Park and requested time under new business to discuss the proposal by the residents. THOMAS HIGHLINE TRAIL Parks and Recreation Director Vraa stated that the City Council at their July 1, 1980 meeting continued consideration to approve plans and speci- fications for Improvement 80 -23, the Highline Trail between Nicols Road and Blackhawk Road, until the appropriate revision was incorporated showing the alignment of a proposed future snowmobile trail. It was further explained that the City Council still supports the original direction provided in January, 1980, to allow right -of -way within the 200 foot easement for a snowmobile /horse trail which could be constructed at some future date. Consulting Engineer Bob Rosene stated that there are no changes required to the plans west of Rahn Road; however, it is necessary to change the plans and specifications for the proposed bike trail between Rahn Road and Blackhawk Road to allow for future construction of a snowmobile /horse trail. He then explained that, with the new plans, there will be adequate space within the 200 foot highline easement to construct a snowmobile /horse trail in the future on the south side of the bicycle trail. Committee members expressed concern about relocating the trail across one of the small ponds for fear of flooding in the spring months. There was con- sideration for a bridge and it was finally determined that the trail should be constructed higher than the high water level recorded for those ponds to date. There was also concern about enforcement of horses using the designated trail in the highline easement right -of -way. Parks and Recreation Director Vraa stated that he has been working with Mr. Maynard Olm of the Snowmobile Association to coordinate the plans of the Advisory Park Committee and City Council regarding the proposed joint use of a Bicycle Trail /Cross Country Skiing and Snowmobile /Horse Trail within the Highline Trail easement right -of -way. Mr. Olm is responsive to using Shale Lane from Nicols Road to Rahn Road and then directly tying in with the Highline Trail at the Shale Lane /Rahn Road inter- section as opposed to traveling through the park and then north on Rahn Road Advisory Park Committee Minutes July 10, 1980 Page Two to tie in with the Highline Trail. After further consideration and in a motion by Committee Member Carroll, seconded by Committee Member Tilley, with all members voting in favor, the plans and specifications as revised were approved, conditional upon establishing the level of the trail higher than the recorded high water level of the adjoining ponds and also that a culvert be constructed under the trail to equalize the water level of the two adjoining ponds. TWIN VIEW MANOR 2ND ADDITION City Planner Runkle reviewed the preliminary plat for Twin View Manor 2nd Addition stating that no park dedication is required for this proposed plat, because this plat is a replat less lots that were originally platted. He further stated that the park dedication policy of the City does not require park land dedication or cash donation for developments that are replatted unless there are a greater number of lots created by the replat. There is no action required on this matter. JOYCE ADDITION City Planner Runkle reviewed the proposed preliminary plat for Joyce Addition stating that said preliminary plat consists of approximately 8.3 acres and contains two commercial lots, 8 duplex lots, 4 buildings and 7 single family lots. Because of the size of the proposed plat and the proposed park development plans as called for in the Comprehensive Guide Plan, it was the recommendation of the City staff that a cash donation be offered to satisfy park land dedication requirements for Joyce Addition. A motion by Committee Member Radl, seconded by Committee Member Loken, with all members voting in favor, cash in lieu of park land dedication for all lots platted in the Joyce Addition was approved as recommended by the staff to the City Council for further consideration. RAHN PARK ACQUISITION "LAWCON FUNDING" Park and Recreation Director Vraa reviewed the status of a LAWCON grant application submitted to the State Planning Agency and Metropolitan Council in the amount of $200,000 for the purchase of 20 acres of land from the St. Paul Land Resources, Inc., for expansion of Rahn Park. He stated that the City was originally ranked fourth and it was anticipated that the full amount of the grant award would be made. However, the Metro Parks and Open Space Commis- sion has recently dropped the City's application to fifth and this could lower the amount of grant funds to be received by the City. Park and Recreation Director Vraa stated that he would keep the Advisory Park Committee informed as to any changes in the status of the LAWCON Grant application for the expansion of Rahn Park. Advisory Park Committee Minutes July 10, 1980 Page Three NAMING OF PARKS Committee Member Johnson reported on the findings of the subcommittee that investigated the criteria for naming of parks. He stated that the Advisory Park Committee subcommittee appointed for the purpose of establishing criteria for the naming of parks within the City has met and is recommending the attached as prepared by the Park and Recreation Director as guidelines to be considered when officially naming parks within the City. After a brief discussion on the matter, a motion was offered by Committee Member Johnson, seconded by Committee Member McNeely, with all members voting in favor that the guidelines for naming parks within the City as recommended by the subcommittee and the Park and Recre- ation Director be adopted and recommended to the City Council. PARK SIGNS Committee Member Tilley reported on the subcommittee's findings regarding criteria for making park identification signs. She stated that members on the subcommittee, along with input from the Director of Parks and Recreation, established the following list: 1. The sign must be easy to read and aesthetically pleasing; 2. The sign should be well built, sturdy and long lasting; 3. The sign should be inexpensive to maintain; 4. There should be some degree of originality in the sign; 5. The sign should blend into the park, becoming an element of the total park design; 6. The sign should be natural and avoid "mix of materials" in the construction; 7. There should be introduction of the City's logo on the sign as a means of identification with the City of Eagan and as: a. park in the Eagan Park System. Committee Member Tilley further stated that the subcommittee con- cluded its effort with a discussion of the significance of a park sign and the importance of developing a sign that will reflect the roll of parks in the com- munity. Director of Parks and Recreation Vraa spoke about the type of wood that is best for constructing park signs, stating weathering and the least amount of maintenance should be considered in the selection of materials. Shrubs, trees and other plantings were also discussed by Committee members to be used as a background around the signs. There was no formal action taken on this matter; however, the Director of Parks and Recreaton was asked to contact a landscape architect to prepare some drawings for park signs at a cost not to exceed the budget. Advisory Park Committee Minutes July 10, 1980 Page Four TREE REMOVAL Director of Parks and Recreation Vraa stated that the Park Depart- ment has received a number of requests from residents asking for permission to remove dead trees from City park land to be used as fire wood. He stated that a policy and procedure needs to be developed to handle these requests if it is determined that the public should be allowed this privilege. A procedural outline, as prepared by the Director of Parks and Recreation, was then reviewed and established as a policy for the removal of dead trees by residents for fire wood or other proper use within City park land. The procedural use is as follows: 1. A request of a specific tree(s) is reported or is noticed by staff; 2. The City Forester to make inspection and determination for cause as well as to insure that the tree is on park property; 3. The Forester and Director of Parks and Recreation to make determination if tree should be removed. Committee Member Tilley stated that she has received a request from property owners in the South Oaks Addition asking that the City construct a soccer kick board in the South Oaks Park. Parks and Recreation Director Vraa discussed his concern for a wood backboard stating that the purpose of the park should be examined before futher consideration is given as to whether a soccer kick board is the right element for that park. He stated that the cost for a soccer kick board is estimated at $200 and is used as a practice device. There was discussion regarding potential liability and maintenance of the soccer kick board. There was also discussion as to whether a soccer kick board should be installed in the park on a trial basis. The Parks and Recreation Director was asked to contact John McCarthy, a resident of the South Oaks Addition, and also Mr. Gilland of Rosemount High School, the Rosemount High School Soccer Coach, to dtermine the use and cost of a soccer kick board. This matter is to be placed on the August 7, 1980 Advisory Park Committee Agenda. p.m. Dated: July 10, 1980 SOUTH OAKS PARK ADJOUNRMENT There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:45 TLH Advisory Par$ Committee Secretary MEMO TO: ADVISORY PARK COMMITTEE FROM: KEN VRAA; DIRECTOR OF PARKS AND RECREATION SUBJECT: NAMING OF PARKS; SUGGESTED GUIDELINES: PROCESS: 2ND DRAFT JULY 1980 BACKGROUND: At the June meeting of the Committee, a draft for the naming of parks was submitted. This item was then referred to the Sub- Committee for further review. On Tuesday evening, July 1, two members of the Sub Committee and the Director again reviewed the criteria with some changes made. SUGGESTED GUIDELINES: 1. The name of the subdivision associated with the park. 2. The neighborhood name in which the park is located. 3. The school name if adjacent to or closely identified with the park. 4. The street name adjacent to or closely identified with the park. 5. The name of a local interest point or local focal point near the park. 6. The name of a stream or creek adjacent to or near the park. 7. The name of a water body adjacent to or near the park. 8. The name of some topographic feature associated with the park. 9. The name of an historical occurrence associated with the area indigenous to Eagan. 10. A creative name based on some impressions of the site. 11. A name based on the vegetation present or the ecology of the area. 12. A name based on the dominant feature of the site. 13. The name by which most of the neighborhood children refer to the park. 14. A creative name which has identity for the particular use or people associated with the park. 15. The naming of a park after an individual. This should normally be done in memoriam. Careful evaluation is necessary before proceeding with the use of a person's name. Parks may be named for the living if they have been the major contributors or the property or of the land cost. (Previous criteria used by the Com- mittee have established a 75% factor.) Naming of Parks Memo July 1980 Page Two The naming or re- naming of parks after an individual should not be done in an emotional or sentimental rush, but reviewed in a timely and proper manner. 16. Parks' and recreation facilities' names should not be changed without good cause. They should be named carefully and with permanent intent. SUGGESTED PROCESS: 1. Recommendation that a park /facility should be named by the Committee to the City Council. 2. Notification that the Parks and Recreation Committee is accepting sug- gestions for the naming of the parks be sent to the Historical Society, the neighborhood residents in the area and others. The guidelines should also be sent at the time name suggestions are. 3. Review and evaluation of suggested names with a reduction to a list of three names. A balance between parks named after sub divisions, individuals and features is desirable. 4. Further research, review and evluation as to the acceptance of each name; and final recommendation to the City Council This process would take from three to four months to complete. ACTION TO BE CONSIDERED: Review of the suggested guidelines for: 1. adoption, 2. modification, or 3.